AJ Styles has had a distinct edge over Kevin Owens as the two villains have reigned over WWE SmackDown and Raw, respectively: superior booking.
The amount of electricity surrounding their upcoming title bouts speak to that. Styles is poised to face John Cena for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view on Jan. 29. Owens will defend the Universal Championship against Roman Reigns the same night.
SmackDown's championship bout is more appealing, a collision of titans belonging to the blue ...

AJ Styles has had a distinct edge over Kevin Owens as the two villains have reigned over WWE SmackDown and Raw, respectively: superior booking.
The amount of electricity surrounding their upcoming title bouts speak to that. Styles is poised to face John Cena for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view on Jan. 29. Owens will defend the Universal Championship against Roman Reigns the same night.
SmackDown's championship bout is more appealing, a collision of titans belonging to the blue brand's top tier.
Owens vs. Reigns is harder to get psyched about. It's the latest chapter in KO's underwhelming time as champ.
That's not his cross to ...

Every January, WWE fans anxiously anticipate the 30-man Royal Rumble match, and for good reason. It has been a staple in the WWE calendar since 1988, with each year offering new monumental moments and thrilling surprises.
The stipulation was later added that the winner would earn a world title match in the main event of WrestleMania. Thus, a large part of the Rumble match's appeal is that its outcome has a direct effect on how WWE's most important event of the year is shaped.
As such, the Royal Rumble has traditionally kicked off the Road to WrestleMania—and it would be hard to ...

In a time of transition, WWE fitted a crown on Brock Lesnar's head at the 2003 Royal Rumble to signal his reign over the kingdom.
The Next Big Thing's victory that January night is a reminder of the power of a Rumble win. It's a testament to the impact of lasting images. And it's proof of what steadfast commitment to a new star can accomplish.
The process of anointing Lesnar began the previous year, well before the 2003 Rumble.
In 2002, WWE was in need of a fresh centerpiece. The Rock's Hollywood career was pulling him away. Neck and knee issues slowed Stone Cold ...

WWE champion AJ Styles reported the theft of his belongings Monday at Arkansas State University's Convocation Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
According to KAIT 8, Styles told authorities a bag containing $1,000 in American currency and $7,000 in Japanese yen, as well as an iPhone, Beats headphones, a small screen TV, an Xbox 360 and six Xbox 360 games were stolen.
The reported incident took place while The Phenomenal One was performing at a WWE live event.
The 39-year-old veteran is nearing the end of his first year in WWE after stints with TNA, Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling.
He is currently the ...

With the Jan. 29 Royal Rumble in San Antonio on the horizon, the WWE Superstar power rankings will be an ever-changing organism as WWE presents a handful of wrestlers as legit candidates to win the PPV's namesake match.
Thus far, names like Baron Corbin and Braun Strowman have been made to look strong, while Roman Reigns has received the short end of the stick in recent weeks of feuding with Kevin Owens. Though The Undertaker stands out as a semi-strong favorite, it's anybody's guess who will win the Rumble this year with such a star-studded field.
To be honest, there's a good ...

Few things propel a WWE NXT Superstar like finding a character that fits them snugly.
Both Nikki Cross and Tye Dillinger have done just that of late, and Wednesday's NXT provided more proof. Cross is thriving as a rabid, bloodthirsty loon. Dillinger has evolved his gimmick to be about far more than counting to 10.
Cross' craziness exploded on the screen at Full Sail University. Dillinger connected with the crowd by going public with his self-doubt.
NXT also featured The Revival dishing out another beatdown and Roderick Strong excelling between the ropes. Scott Dawson continues to look ready to jump to the main roster. ...

This past week, WWE announced that it would induct Kurt Angle into its Hall of Fame in another seven-day stretch that was filled with headlines.
As one legend will be celebrated through April, another will be celebrated posthumously after the death of '80s wrestling star Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka.
With Monday Night Football out of the way, WrestleMania season is on the horizon, while the NFL season is coming to a dramatic conclusion. WWE is quickly gaining momentum as the always lucrative casual viewing audience seeks alternatives.
As a result, WWE's many headlines and storylines both in and out of the ring will reach more people than at ...

Whether it's a surprise appearance, a big return or a major storyline in the works, it seems that WWE fans have plenty to discuss right now as the biggest period of the company's year begins.
With WWE Royal Rumble 2017 just a couple of weeks away on Jan. 29, plans are beginning to piece together for that event and WrestleMania 33 later in the year.
This week's rumor roundup features a number of speculative stories dominating the internet that could offer a few hints as to what may be in store for WWE fans.
In addition, there's a surprise note about one on-screen ...

As WWE Royal Rumble 2017 approaches, the urgency on both Raw and SmackDown Live is heightened. As such, both shows felt more pressure this week to deliver strong episodes of their weekly programs.
The red brand featured a huge six-man tag team main event pitting Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn and Roman Reigns against Braun Strowman, Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens—not to mention Brock Lesnar's return to television.
SmackDown Live countered with a Steel Cage match between Becky Lynch and women's champion Alexa Bliss and a showdown between Randy Orton and intercontinental champion Dean Ambrose.
The twists and turns on the road to the ...

Charlotte Flair and Bayley's battle over the WWE Raw Women's Championship has the potential to be a stellar, stirring story that fans will remember for years to come.
Its foundation is strong, as the rivalry is built on a classic dynamic. Bayley vs. Flair is good vs. evil, the common (wo)man vs. ruthless royalty, heart vs. physical superiority.
Bayley thrives as a babyface. Flair is a top-notch heel.
And their title matches, at the Jan. 29 Royal Rumble pay-per-view and beyond, promise to be excellent.
As WWE marches forward with this narrative, though, plenty of missteps could trip it up. The company cannot leave fans ...